Forum will address children's mental health, academic success

Research documents that emotional, behavioral and psychosocial barriers often account for children's lack of success in schools.

Supporting Ohio children's mental health so they can succeed academically is the focus of a forum from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday (3/3) at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. The Center for Learning Excellence (CLEX) at The Ohio State University is partnering with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Ohio Department of Education on the forum, titled ?Mental Health, Schools, and Families Working Together for Ohio's Children: Shared Agenda Policymakers Forum.? The forum brings policymakers from mental health, schools, family advocacy organizations, and child-serving systems from around the state.

There will be interview opportunities at 8 a.m. with Susan Tave Zelman, State Superintendent of Education; Michael Hogan, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health; Diana Leigh, project director for the Center for Learning Excellence (Mental Health Network for School Success); and families with children.

WHAT: A forum titled "Mental Health, Schools, and Families Working Together for Ohio's Children: Shared Agenda Policymakers Forum"

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday (3/3). Speakers available for interviews at 8 a.m.

WHERE: Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road.

WHY: Ohio State is collaborating with agencies and organizations to improve the lives
of children.

For more information, see http://hec.osu.edu/news/program/cle_mentalhealth.htm

Media may also contact Sam Hibbs or Laura Wentz, at the Ohio Department of Mental Health, (614) 466-2297.